Page 9 of Safe Hands
“I remember. But surely you can relax the rule if it’s for the good of the team.” Jenna leaned in again. “I seem to recall you had no trouble flirting with me when we first met.”
“What are you two whispering about?”
Paige’s voice made Lauren jump. Only this time, it wasn’t surprise. It was guilt.
“Nothing,” Lauren said, far too quickly.
“Mmm. I thought it might be recruitment. Everyone’s gossiping about this new player.”
Lauren craned her neck, checking who else was watching. Yes, she’d flirted with Jenna when they first met, but she’d stopped the second she found out about Abi. Reputations didn’t care about timelines, though. Hers had a longer shelf life than most of her good intentions.
“Hello?” Paige nudged her ribs. “Earth to Lauren.”
“Sorry. What?”
“New player. What’s the deal?”
“I was trying to find out until you interrupted.”
Paige held up her hands. “Sorry. Didn’t realise it was a private conversation.”
“It wasn’t.”
“Good, then dish. Who is she?”
“Yeah, come on.” Lauren turned back to Jenna. “I’m all ears.”
Jenna’s eyes glinted. “Only because of the way I cut your hair.”
Lauren blushed. She hated how little it took.
“Go on,” she sighed once Jenna had drifted away. “Say it.”
“I have nothing to say. You can get your hair cut by anyone you want.”
“We’re just friends. I’m not sharking her.”
Paige’s smile fell away. “I know. The only one worried about that is you. Why are you so defensive?”
“Because I know what people think: that I’m trying to split them up.”
“What people?”
“Everyone.”
“Where’s this coming from?”
“Instinct.” Lauren dragged a hand through her hair, regretting the snap in her tone. “It’s common knowledge I tried to chat her up when we first met. I don’t need the judgement right now.”
“There is none.”
Lauren looked away. “Sorry. Ignore me. It was just tough going home to an empty house.”
Paige tilted her head. “It was tough leaving.”
That should have helped, but it didn’t.
“You’re going to be okay,” Paige added, one eye already on Becky. “You’ve got this.”
